USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 42
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About 80 rods from Mr. Riblet's log cabin (just across the river) was a run-way for deer. When a deer is pur- sued by a pack of wolves he generally takes himself to a run-way. In the pursuit, one wolf takes the track, and sets up a howl entirely different from the rest of the wolves, which pay no attention to the track, but cut across the bends of the run-way to gain distance, and the one that strikes the track first ahead of the leader sets up the howl of the leader, and the former leader leaves the track and falls in in the rear of the pack. Hence there is quite a variety of sounds or keys in the music of a pack of wolves ; there Is that of the leader, that of the old wolves, and that of the whelps, and besides there is another howl occasionally given, which the wolves no doubt understand, but the writer of this never did comprehend. It sounds very much like boys hollowing " hoy !" when driving cows.
One evening, soon after Mr. Riblet moved into his log cabin, as he was driving his cattle home from the marsh, his wife met him about 40 rods from his house, with her face beaming with delight.
" Samuel," said she, " I have news to tell you."
" Well," said he, " I should judge it was good news, too, judging from your looks."
" Yes, it's good news. We have got neighbors just across the river, and they have children, too, and will help to sup- port a school,-or at least they have boys, for I heard them driving cattle, hollowing ' hoy!' and the dogs barking. They have one big dog and several little ones."
Mr. Riblet said he thought there must be some mistake about it, for no person could get across the river without help or directions ; and he had seen Mr. Stevens but a few moments before, and he certainly would have mentioned it if he had helped them across
" Well," said she, "perhaps they came down from the turnpike on the other side."
" That," said Mr. Riblet, " is equally improbable, for no one could make their way through that tangled mat of bushes and grape-vines in a week."
" Well, they are there anyway, for I heard the boys driving their cattle." Then she stopped short (another pack was coming). "There, listen ; don't you hear them ?"
Mr. Riblet laughed ; he had heard wolves howl before. Reader, if you had been there, then you would have seen a disappointed and crestfallen woman. Mrs. Riblet became very familiar with wolf-music before spring, for during the winter she slept by it almost every night. But she now congratulates herself that she has lived to hear the whistle of the locomotive-engine very nearly on the same route of the old run-way of deer and wolves.
THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
In the summer of 1839, some of the settlers, feeling somewhat patriotic, and thinking it proper to do up busi- ness as they did at the East, proposed to have a Fourth of July celebration; they posted up notices calling a meeting of the citizens to make arrangements, but very few persons attended the meeting. So the meeting was adjourned to a subsequent time. In the mean time quite an effort was made to get the people out, and when the time came there was quite a turn-out. And, although Dr. Clapp and Mr. Long made each quite a patriotic speech, and did their best to get up some enthusiasm, the people would not enthuse worth a cent. Finally, Deacon Hervey Smith arose and made a speech. " My friends," said he, "I know just what is the matter. You all feel, just as I do, that we are too poor to have a celebration. The fact is, it took all we could raise in the world to get us here, to pay for our land, and to live till we could raise something to live on. But, my friends, we will not always be thus poor. We have a beau- tiful country, and it will soon be a rich country. Your fields are now waving in the wind with a heavy burden of wheat almost ready to harvest. We shall be better off after harvest, and will feel more like celebrating. I move that the Fourth of July be put off till after harvest." The mo- tion was supported and put to vote, and carried almost unan- imously. But when harvest was over the people had their ground to prepare for another crop, and the matter was not called up again. But the next Fourth of July witnessed a very respectable celebration, which was the first one ever held in Litchfield.
CIVIL LIST.
According to an act of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, numbered 31, and approved March 11, 1837,
21
162
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
for the organization of the township of Litchfield, the first township-meeting was held in the house of Hervey Smith, in said township, on Monday, the 3d day of April, 1837, and the following officers elected : Supervisor, Harvey Eggleston ; Township Clerk, James F. Nims; Justices of the Peace, Harvey Eggleston, Jesse Stoddard, Philip S. Gage, William Smith, Jr .; Assessors, Nathan Stevens, Horton Mann, Philip B. Tabor ; Collector, John Woods ; Directors of the Poor, Constant Bushnell, Nathan Stevens, Selah Murray; Commissioners of Highways, Hervey Smith, Samuel Riblet, Otis Bettis; School Inspectors, Harvey Eggleston, Samuel Riblet, William J. Bettis ; Constables, John Woods, Chester Stoddard ; Overseers of Highways- District No. 1, Thomas Herendeen ; District No. 2, Jacob Whitney ; District No. 3, David Hiller ; District No. 4, James Eggleston ; District No. 5, John Woods ; District No. 6, Lambert Allen ; District No. 7, George G. Young ; District No. 8, John Shipman.
The officers for succeeding years have been as follows :
1838 .- Supervisor, Harvey Eggleston ; Town Clerk, Lewis Smith; Assessors, Henry Vrooman, Nelson Chit- tenden, Stephen' M. Frisbie ; Commissioners of Highways, Henry Stevens, Stephen M. Frisbie, Tristram Norcott ; Justice of the Peace, William Smith; School Inspectors, Isaac Agard, James Eggleston, Stephen M. Frisbie; Col- lector, Chester Stoddard ; Directors of the Poor, Constant Bushnell, Nathan Stevens.
1839 .- Supervisor, Jesse Stoddard; Justice of the Peace, Jesse Stoddard; Town Clerk, Lewis Smith ; Assessors, Nelson Chittenden, Stephen M. Frisbie, Freeman Blair ; School Inspectors, Freeman Blair, Isaac Agard, Ezra B. Godard; Collector, Andrew K. Bushnell; Commissioners of Highways, Hezekiah Sabin, Stephen M. Frisbie, Milton P. Herring; Directors of the Poor, Constant Bushnell, Nathan Stevens.
1840 .- Supervisor, Jesse Stoddard ; Justice of the Peace, Harvey Eggleston ; Town Clerk, Chester E. Clapp; Assessors, Nelson Chittenden, William Miller, Milton P. Herring; Commissioners of Highways, Joseph M. Smith, Stephen M. Frisbie, Allen Parker; School Inspectors, Isaac Agard, Thomas W. Benedict, George W. Burch- ard; Treasurer, Shailor Geer; Collector, Alex. Rora- bacher; Overseers of the Poor, Constant Bushnell, Jacob Whitney.
1841 .- Supervisor, William Savage; Town Clerk, Ches- ter E. Clapp; Justice of the Peace, Lewis Smith; Assessors, Nelson Chittenden, Warren Aylesworth, James Eggleston ; Commissioners of Highways, Edwin Walter, Noel M. Waite, Stephen M. Frisbie; School Inspectors, Isaac Agard, Thomas W. Benedict, Chester E. Clapp ; Collector, David Woodam ; Treasurer, Lemuel Long; Overseers of the Poor, Constant Bushnell, Nathan Stevens.
1842 .- Supervisor, Henry Packer; Town Clerk, Lemuel Long; Justice of the Peace, Austin George; Assessors, William H. Miller, Stephen M. Frisbie, Warner Ayles- worth; Commissioners of Highways, Joseph M. Smith, James Jones, Ulri Murdoc ; School Inspectors, Charles J. Vanness, Austin George, George W. Burchard ; Treasurer, Shailor Geer; Directors of the Poor, James Parker, How- ard Weaver.
1843 .- Supervisor, Henry Packer; Town Clerk, Ches- ter E. Clapp; Treasurer, Shailor Geer ; Assessors, Wm. H. Miller, Milton P. Herring, Isaac Agard; School In- spectors, Freeman Blair, George W. Burchard, Samuel Riblet ; Commissioners of Highways, James Jones, Henry W. Cronkhite, John S. Morris; Justice of the Peace, Hezekiah Sabin; Overseers of the Poor, Constant Bush- nell, James Mabee.
1844 .- Supervisor, Henry Packer ; Town Clerk, Ches- ter E. Clapp; Justice of the Peace, Harvey Eggleston ; Treasurer, Shailor Geer; Assessors, Milton P. Herring, Jonathan Robinson, Isaac Agard; Commissioners of High- ways, David Hiller, James Jones, Parker Dresser ; School Inspector, Freeman Blair ; Directors of the Poor, Constant Bushnell, James Mabee.
1845 .- Supervisor, Jesse Stoddard; Town Clerk, Chester E. Clapp; Justice of the Peace, E. Barnum Foot; for vacancy, Daniel Harris ; Treasurer, Edwin Walter. It was voted that two assessors be elected, to be associated with the supervisor to make out the assessment. Assessors, Jeremiah Townsend, Jonathan Robinson ; Commissioners of High- ways, Jared Todd, Joseph M. Smith, Henry Packer ; School Inspector, Isaac Agard ; Overseers of the Poor, Hezekiah Sabin, Henry Packer.
1846 .- Supervisor, Henry Packer ; Town Clerk, Lemuel Long; Treasurer, Edwin Walter ; Justice of the Peace, Austin George; Assessors, Wm. H. Miller, Stephen M. Frisbie ; School Inspector, Freeman Blair ; Commissioners of Highways, Joseph M. Smith, Jonathan Robinson, Jared Todd; Overseers of the Poor, Samuel Fellows, Chester E. Clapp.
1847 .- Supervisor, Sam'l Fellows; Town Clerk, Stephen Canniff; Justice of the Peace, Edwin Walter; Treasurer, Ezekiel White; Assessors, Jeremiah Townsend, Lewis Riggs ; Commissioners of Highways, Joseph M. Smith, Jared Todd, Joel Mann ; School Inspectors, James Mott, Isaac Agard ; Overseers of the Poor, Hezekiah Sabin, Ebenezer Eggleston.
1848 .- Supervisor, William H. Miller; Town Clerk, Lemuel Long ; Justice of the Peace, Henry Packer ; Treas- urer, Ezekiel White ; Assessors, Joseph M. Smith, Hervey Smith ; Commissioner of Highways, Joel Mann ; School Inspector, Charles J. Vanness; Overseers of the Poor, Hezekiah Sabin, Harvey Eggleston.
1849 .- Supervisor, William H. Miller ; Town Clerk, Samuel P. Gregg ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph R. Rey- nolds, Uri Murdoc (vacancy) ; Treasurer, Ezekiel White ; Assessors, Otis Bettis, Hezekiah Sabin ; Commissioner of Highways, Shailor Geer; School Inspector, Chester "E. Clapp; Overseers of the Poor, William H. Miller, Horton Mann.
1850 .- Supervisor, William H. Miller; Town Clerk, Lemuel Long; Treasurer, Solomon Stoddard; Justice of the Peace, Uri Murdoc ; Commissioner of Highways, Jared Todd; Assessors, Hezekiah Sabin, Joseph Riggs ; School Inspector, Freeman Blair ; Overseer of the Poor, Constant Bushnell.
1851 .- Supervisor, William H. Miller; Town Clerk, Lemuel Long; Justice of the Peace, Edwin Walter ; Treasurer, Solomon Stoddard ; Commissioner of Highways,
RESIDENCE OF W. J. BARNARD, LITCHFIELD, MICH.
RESIDENCE OF MRS. E.MANN , LITCHFIELD, MICHIGAN.
9.7
HORTON MANN.
MRS. HORTON MANN.
HORTON MANN.
Horton Mann was born in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 29, 1812. His father, Rodolphus Mann, was one of the influential and prominent farmers of Saratoga County. Horton resided at the old home, acquiring a good common-school education. Upon his father's decease, which occurred Oct. 25, 1827, he moved to the town of Charlton, where he learned the trade of a tinsmith. The occupation not being congenial to his taste, he returned to his former avocation. At this time the tide of emigration was turned strongly towards Michigan, which was then considered to be in the far West, and Mr. Mann, young, ambitious, and energetic, resolved to make it his home. Accordingly, in the month of July, 1836, he came to Hillsdale County, and settled in the town of Litchfield, where he purchased two hundred acres of wild land.
Previous to his removal he had married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Sherman and Mary (Crane) Curtis, of his native town, where she was born March 12, 1814.
Mr. and Mrs. Mann entered upon the arduous task of the improvement of their farm and the con- struction of a home with that ardor and energy which
was characteristic of the people of the early days. Although the locality was a favored one, it not being heavily timbered, the construction of a farm was a work of no small magnitude ; but, by degrees, field after field was added, and industry and energy were rewarded.
As a farmer, Mr. Mann was progressive; in all business matters, methodical; and was justly con- sidered to be among the most successful agriculturists in the county. Mr. Mann was emphatically a bus- iness man, and in his chosen calling was eminently successful. He acquired a competency, which is the inevitable result of a long life of industry, frugality, and honorable dealing.
He never sought political preferment, preferring the retirement of home and the interests of his bus- iness to political distinction. The personification of honor, his word was always as good as his bond. Possessing many virtues and having few faults, he won and retained the regard and esteem of all who knew him. Mr. Mann had the faculty of gathering round him many firm friends, to whom he was sin- cerely attached. In his decease, Litchfield lost a valuable citizen.
163
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Joel Mann ; School Inspector, A. M. Kellogg. There are no poormasters on the records of 1851.
1852 .- Supervisor, Henry Packer ; Town Clerk, Lemuel Long; Justice of the Peace, Harvey Eggleston ; Treasurer, William R. Traver; Assessors, William Stoddard, Otis Bettis ; Commissioner of Highways, Richard B. Coleman ; Overseers of the Poor, Jesse Stoddard and Lemuel Crocker.
1853 .- Supervisor, William Stoddard ; Town Clerk, Chester E. Clapp ; Treasurer, Solomon Stoddard; Justice of the Peace, George W. Burchard; Commissioner of Highways, Jared Todd ; School Inspector, Stephen Canniff; Overseers of the Poor, Jesse Stoddard, L. Crocker.
1854 .- Supervisor, William Stoddard; Town Clerk, Chester E. Clapp ; Treasurer, Jared Todd ; Justice of the Peace, Benjamin Duesler ; School Inspector, Joel Wheaton; Commissioner of Highways, Abraham Knapp ; Overseers of the Poor, William H. Miller and Parker Dresser.
1855 .- Supervisor, Jeremiah Townsend ; Town Clerk, Alfred F. Wariner ; Treasurer, Mark G. Whitney ; Justices of the Peace, Edwin Walter, Jacob Hagarman (vacancy) ; School Inspector, Stephen Canniff; Commissioner of High- ways, Jonathan Robinson ; Overseers of the Poor, William H. Miller and H. M. Dresser.
1856 .- Supervisor, William Stoddard; Town Clerk, Chester E. Clapp; Treasurer, Mark G. Whitney ; School Inspector, A. M. Kellogg; Justice of the Peace, Harvey Eggleston ; Commissioner of Highways, J. W. Teneyck, John C. Drury (vacancy) ; Overseers of the Poor, Samuel Lovejoy and Samuel Fellows.
1857 .- Supervisor, Hervey Smith ; Town Clerk, Chester E. Clapp ; Treasurer, Leonard A. Fowler; Justices of the Peace, Luther B. Woodward, Joseph Riggs (vacancy); Com- missioner of Highways, John C. Drury ; School Inspector, Joseph Riggs.
1858 .- Supervisor, Hervey Smith ; Town Clerk, Ben- jamin H. Carter ; Treasurer, Leonard A. Fowler; Com- missioner of Highways, William R. Traver; School In- spector, James Gould; Justice of the Peace, Elisha Thornton.
1859 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Luke Hazen ; Justice of the Peace, Simon B. Hadley ; Treasurer, James H. Wood; School Inspector, Joseph Riggs ; Com- missioner of Highways, William H. Shipman ; Overseers of the Poor, Hervey Smith and William R. Traver.
1860 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Luke Hazen ; Justice of the Peace, Joseph Riggs; Treasurer, James H. Wood ; School Inspector, James Gould; Com- missioner of Highways, Josiah Murdoc.
1861 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Luke Hazen; Justice of the Peace, Charles A. Pardee; Treasurer, James H. Wood; School Inspector, Joseph Riggs ; Com- missioner of Highways, William R. Traver.
1862 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Luther B. Woodward; Treasurer, Luke Hazen; Justice of the Peace, Elisha Thornton ; School Inspector, William Savage ; Commissioner of Highways, Enos A. Pomroy.
1863 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Luth- er B. Woodward; Treasurer, Luke Hazen; Justice of the Peace, Josiah Murdoc; School Inspector, Charles A. Par- dee; Commissioner of Highways, Stephen A. Watson.
1864 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, John E. White; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justice of the Peace, William Pittwood; Commissioner of Highways, William Stoddard ; School Inspector, Horace N. Turrell.
1865 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, John E. White; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justices of the Peace, Charles A. Pardee, William L. Graham (vacancy) ; Com- missioner of Highways, Enos A. Pomroy ; School Inspector, Charles A. Pardee.
1866 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, John E. White; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justice of the Peace, Elisha Thornton ; Commissioner of Highways, William R. Derby ; School Inspector, Horace N. Turrell.
1867 .- Supervisor, William Stoddard; Town Clerk, John E. White ; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justice of the Peace, Mark G. Whitney ; Commissioner of Highways, Stephen Canniff; School Inspector, Charles A. Pardee.
1868 .- Supervisor, William Stoddard; Town Clerk, John E. White; Treasurer, Luke Hazen; Commissioner of High- ways, Enos A. Pomroy ; School Inspector, Horace N. Tur- rell; Justice of the Peace, Mark G. Whitney.
1869 .- Supervisor, William Stoddard ; Town Clerk, H. N. Turrell ; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justices of the Peace, Charles A. Pardee, S. B. Hadley (vacancy) ; School Inspec- tor, Warren Jackson ; Commissioner of Highways, William B. Larabee.
1870 .- Supervisor, Win. Stoddard; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills ; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justices of the Peace, Lemuel Gibbs, A. M. Kellogg (vacancy) ; School Inspector, Samuel Riblet; Commissioner of Highways, James Flint.
1871 .- Supervisor, Wm. Stoddard; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, Luke Hazen; Justice of the Peace, Wm. R. Derby ; School Inspector, Warren Jackson ; Com- missioner of Highways, Enos A. Pomroy ; Drain Commis- sioner, Wm. B. Larabee.
1872 .- Supervisor, Enos A. Pomroy; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, Luke Hazen ; Justices of the Peace, Edward Bailey, Warren Jackson (vacancy); School Inspector, H. N. Turrell ; Commissioner of Highways, Wm. B. Larabee ; Drain Commissioner, Wm. R. Derby.
1873 .- Supervisor, Enos A. Pomroy ; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills ; Treasurer, Luke Hazen; Justices of the Peace, Charles A. Pardee, George N. Howe (vacancy) ; Commissioner of Highways, James Flint ; School Inspector, Warren Jackson ; Drain Commissioner, W. B. Larabee.
1874 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, Asher B. La Fleur; Justice of the Peace, Warren Jackson ; Commissioner of Highways, Lewis B. Agard (vacancy), F. C. Mead (full term); Drain Com- missioner, Enos A. Pomroy.
1875 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, A. B. La Fleur; Justice of the Peace, S. B. Hadley ; Commissioner of Highways, J. B. Linsday ; School Superintendent, Warren Jackson; School Inspector, Horace N. Turrell; Drain Commissioner, Enos A. Pomroy.
1876 .- Supervisor, Stephen Canniff; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, A. B. La Fleur ; Justices of the Peace, Edward Bailey, Isaiah Honsberger (vacancy) ; Commis- sioner of Highways, Frank W. Barber; Superintendent of
164
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Schools, Warren Jackson; School Inspector, Horace N. Turrell; Drain Commissioner, Enos A. Pomroy.
1877 .- Supervisor, Enos A. Pomroy; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, A. B. La Fleur; Justice of the Peace, L. B. Woodward ; Commissioner of Highways, James B. Linsday; Superintendent of Schools, Warren Jackson ; School Inspector, H. N. Turrell; Drain Com- missioner, Wm. R. Traver.
1878 .- Supervisor, Enos A. Pomroy; Town Clerk, Daniel H. Mills; Treasurer, A. B. La Fleur; Justice of the Peace, Warren Jackson ; Commissioner of Highways, David Cobb; Superintendent of Schools, Warren Jackson ; School Inspector, H. N. Turrell; Drain Commissioner, Joel Benedict.
The village of Litchfield was organized as an incorporated village-in accordance with the general statute law for the incorporation of villages-in the spring of 1877, and the first election was held in Millsom's Hall, March 12, 1877, when the following officers were elected : L. A. Howard, President, one year ; D. H. Mills, Secretary, one year ; Samuel Riblet, Trustee, two years; Samuel Riblet, Presi- dent pro tem., one year; Nelson Turrell, Trustee, two years ; D. F. Shepherd, Trustee, two years; Michael Mary, Trustee, one year; Edward Barker, Trustee, one year ; I. J. Morehouse, Trustee, one year; C. G. Conklin, Treas- urer, one year ; T. F. Fowler, Assessor, one year ; Wm. R. Traver, Street Commissioner, one year.
The second annual election was held March 11, 1878, in Millsom's Hall, and the following officers were elected : Horace N. Turrell, President, one year; George Kraft, Trustee, two years; A. G. Conger, Trustee, two years ; Theron F. Fowler, Trustee, two years; Henry C. Dresser, Secretary, one year ; Enos Moore, Treasurer, one year ; E. D. Gibbs, Assessor, one year ; A. M. Kellogg, Street Com- missioner, one year. H. N. Turrell declined serving as president, and Samuel Riblet, the president pro tem., acted as president until the 15th of April, when a special elec- tion was held, and John E. White elected president. Geo. Kraft resigned his office of trustee, Sept. 16, 1878, and James Howland was appointed in his place by the Council.
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC.
The principal business establishments of Litchfield village consist of 3 dry-goods stores, 2 hardware-stores, 3 restau- rant, grocery, provision, and confectionery-stores, 3 boot- and shoe-shops and stores, 2 drug-stores, 1 bank, 1 agricultural- implement store, 1 furniture-store and cabinet-shop, 2 milli- nery-shops, 2 meat-markets, 1 foundry, 2 flouring-mills, 1 saw-mill, 2 planing-mills and machine-shops, 2 lumber-yards, 1 hotel, 2 carriage- and wagon-shops, 1 clothing-store, 1 jewelry-shop, 3 blacksmith-shops, 2 cooper-shops, 2 tin- shops, 1 marble-shop, and 2 harness-shops, besides several small establishments of different kinds. The village con- tains about 1000 inhabitants, has 4 physicians, 4 ministers, and 1 lawyer.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HON. STEPHEN CANNIFF
was born in Knollsville, N. Y., May 30, 1816. At an early age he was thrown upon his own resources. He obtained a good common-school education, and for several years worked as a farm hand in summer and taught school in winter. In 1839 he was married to Miss Maria Boven, of the town of Riga, Monroe Co., N. Y. She was born in Schoharie, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1820. When a child her parents removed to Monroe County, where they died. In 1836, Mr. Canniff came to Michigan, and purchased a farm in the town of Pittsford, Hillsdale Co. He returned East, and in 1839 came on with his family. In 1843 he dis- posed of his farm in Pittsford and came to Litchfield, where he resided until his death, which occurred Nov. 23, 1876. Mr. Canniff was prominently identified with Litch- field, and for many years represented the town in the Board of Supervisors. In 1867 he was elected to the Legislature. In his religious affiliations he was a Congregationalist, and was a liberal supporter of church enterprises. He was an ardent friend of education, and did much to advance edu- cational interests.
Mr. Canniff was emphatically a self-made man. Starting in life with only his natural resources for his capital, he achieved success, and was esteemed for his fidelity and ability in public as well as private life.
SAMUEL RIBLET,
the subject of this narrative, is the lineal descendant of a French nobleman, who, in consequence of his embracing the Protestant faith, had his property confiscated and was exiled, under the penalty of being burned as a heretic. He suffered many indignities, and, in company with others, went to Germany, where he married and reared a large family. Two of his sons, Christian and Bartholomew, emigrated to America and settled in Northampton Co., Pa., where John Riblet, son of Christian and grandfather of our subject, was born, in the year 1758.
In the beginning of the war of the Revolution, he en- tered the service as first lieutenant in a regiment of rifle- men, but was soon after taken prisoner and confined for three years on board the British man-of-war " Roebuck." After his release, he married and settled near Hagerstown, Pa., where Solomon Riblet, father of Samuel, was born, in August, 1782.
In the year 1800 John Riblet moved, with his family, to Erie, Pa., where he commanded the body-guard of Com- modore Perry during the building of his fleet. Solomon Riblet was captain in a regiment of minute-men, and served with distinction.
Samuel Riblet was born in the town of Harbor Creek, Erie Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1811. He was taught the rudi- ments of a German education by his grandfather, and at- tended the district school during the winter months. At the age of seventeen he went to Erie to complete his edu- cation at the academy at that place. He was obliged to teach winters in order to obtain funds to defray his expenses
HON. WILLIAM STODDARD.
HON. STEPHEN CANNIFF.
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